Orientation

About

If you are a new student at U of T, then orientation is for you! Orientation is a great wayto meet your new classmates and discover useful information about the University.

Orientation activities take place in the week or two leading up to the start of classes in early September. If you arrive in January you will find some orientation activities taking place, but on a smaller scale.

There are several types of orientations that you should be aware of - see below for details!

Wondering what “frosh” means?

A frosh is someone who is new to university. The word comes from the term “freshman,” which is more common in America. If you're a first-year student, then you're a frosh. You'll hear the word a lot during the week of Orientation activities, which is often called Frosh Week.

Step Up A four-day, residential, pre-orientation program for international students

Grad Step Up A full-day event designed to help you navigate U of T as a graduate student

CIE Welcome Reception

Welcome to Canada, Toronto and U of T! If you are a new international or exchange student, this is an event that you won't want to miss.

The Centre for International Experience (CIE) invites all new international and exchange students to a free lunch! Come by and meet new friends, enjoy good music, participate in some activities, and connect with others.

The event runs 12 p.m. to 2 p.m. (line up starts at 11:30 a.m.) on Friday, September 15, 2017.

Cumberland House, 33 St. George Street

Centre for International Experience Orientation

If you are a newly arrived international student or an exchange student, you should make CIE your first stop on campus. Staff and student volunteers will provide information about the University and the City of Toronto, and assist you in any way they can.

Come to CIE and learn about many topics, including:

Immigration regulations

Health insurance information (UHIP)

Intercultural adaptation

Resources and services available on campus and in nearby parts of the city

Building your community and getting involved in campus life

CIE Orientation includes various events to help you transition to U of T, including campus and neighbourhood tours, activities to meet and interact with other students, a Services Expo, and the CIE Welcome Reception.

All students are welcome to attend the Centre for International Experience (CIE) orientation activities held at the Cumberland House on the St. George campus. UTM and UTSC also offer orientation sessions for international students.

Faculty, college and residence orientations

Your academic faculty also runs orientation activities. This is a great opportunity to connect with your college or faculty community, meet your new classmates, get the inside story on campus life and find out what resources are available to you. If you are a St. George Arts & Science student, your faculty orientation will be organized through your college of registration.

Your faculty or college will provide you with information about this orientation.

Residences also often run orientation activities. If you are living in residence at your college, then this will be a part of your college orientation.

Student union orientation and clubs fair

Your student union holds various orientation events during the Orientation period. The Clubs Fair is one of these events, and it’s a great way for you to find out about all the clubs and societies you can be a part of while you're at U of T. Don't miss it!

Information about the Clubs Fair and other Orientation events are posted on the student union websites in August:

UTSC Orientation

The International Student Centre (ISC) at UTSC runs Orientation sessions and activities geared specifically to new international and exchange students. Orientation occurs every year in September. You will have a chance to meet the staff of the International Student Centre and engage with your fellow international and domestic students. Orientation and transition programs will cover a variety of topics, including:

UTM Orientation

The International Education Centre (IEC) at UTM runs orientation events and sessions that are open to ALL students; this includes international fee-paying students, permanent residents, and domestic students. Orientation activities occur every year throughout the month of September. At these events and sessions, you will have a chance to meet the staff of your IEC and fellow students.

Events vary from:

IEC Open House (information, games, free food)

Blue Jays Game

Niagara Falls Trip

Information sessions will cover a variety of topics, including:

Immigration

Health Insurance

Study Abroad

UTM Abroad

Social Insurance Number (SIN) distribution by Service Canada

Specific information about the IEC events during orientation will be posted online at uoft.me/iecwelcome.

Step Up

Step Up is a residential, pre-orientation program for international students and students who completed their secondary-level education outside of Canada. Step Up is an optional program that is designed to offer a bridge into studies at U of T and your transition to life in Toronto. It’s a great way to make new friends and get ready for your first-year of University!

For 2017, move-in for Step Up will happen on Sunday, August 27. Programming will run from Monday, August 28 – Thursday, August 31 inclusive, with move-out and optional volunteer led social activities on Friday, September 1.

Grad Step Up

For all new international graduate students at U of T.

Date and Time: 8:30 a.m. – 6:30 p.m. on Thursday, August 31, 2017

Starting graduate school in a new country and in a new university system can be a lot to navigate. Grad Step Up is a full-day event designed to help bridge this transition. At Grad Step Up you will have a chance to take part in sessions designed to help you become familiar with the expectations and resources available to you at U of T. You will also have a chance to meet other international graduate students from many different departments at U of T.